Transverse leaf spring type suspension

Abstract

Disclosed is a suspension having an improved transverse leaf spring with its longitudinal axis extending transversely of a car body. The leaf spring is operatively associated at opposite ends with the right and left wheels of a car and is curved along its intermediate length in the direction in which the car moves ahead or back. The curved portion may be along a full length of the leaf spring or along a length defines between support points on the leaf spring, and in the latter case, lengths extending from the respective support points to the ends of the leaf spring most adjacent thereto remain linear to form linear portions extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to respective suspension arm rocking shafts. Various forms of support elements are described for securing the leaf spring for only pivotal movement about one of the support points and both pivotal and linear movement about the other thereof.

We claim: 
     
       1. A transverse leaf spring type suspension for a car having an engine supported by a body of sid car comprising a transverse leaf spring operatively associated at opposite ends with right and left wheels of said car, said leaf spring being supported at two intermediate points along its length by said car body, rocking shafts each having a pivot axis extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said spring for connecting said wheels to said car body, the portion of said leaf spring extending between said two intermediate points being curved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said car, lengths of said leaf spring from the respective support points to the ends of said leaf spring being linear and each extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axis of the adjacent rocker shaft, and support elements at said intermediate points having means at one said intermediate point securing said leaf spring for only pivotal movement and means at the other said intermediate point securing said leaf spring for both pivotal movement and linear movement substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said leaf spring, said support element means at said one intermediate point including roller bearing means secured to said leaf spring for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said leaf spring, bracket means attached to said car body, and an axle fixed to said bracket means securing said roller bearing means. 
     
     
       2. A transverse leaf spring type suspension according to 1 in which said support element means at said one intermediate point includes a bore in said leaf spring extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said leaf spring, a roller bearing contained in said bore having its outer race secured to the surface thereof, and its inner race secured to said axle. 
     
     
       3. A transverse leaf spring type suspension according to any one of claims 2 and 1 in which said support element means at said other intermediate point comprises bearing bodies formed on opposite sides of said leaf spring and vertically spaced support rods fixed to said car body for bearing engagement with said leaf spring bodies, said bearing bodies and said support rods having curved external surfaces with those of said support rods being convex and those of said bearing bodies being concave and of greater radius than the surfaces of said support rods. 
     
     
       4. A transverse leaf spring type suspension according to claim 3 in which said leaf spring bearing bodies are formed of resilient material. 
     
     
       5. A transverse leaf spring type suspension for a car having an engine supported by a body of sid car comprising a transverse leaf spring operatively associated at opposite ends with right and left wheels of said car, said leaf spring being supported at two intermediate points along its length by said car body, rocking shafts each having a pivot axis extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of said spring for connecting said wheels to said car body, the portion of said leaf spring extending between said two intermediate points being curved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said car, lengths of said leaf spring from the respective support points to the ends of said leaf spring being linear and each extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to the axis of the adjacent rocker shaft, and support elements at said intermediate points, said support elements including means at one said intermediate point securing said leaf spring for only pivotal movement and means at the other said intermediate point securing said leaf spring for both pivotal movement and linear movement substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said leaf spring, said support means at said one intermediate point including a bore in said leaf spring extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said leaf spring, a roller bearing contained in said bore having its outer race secured to the surface thereof, and its inner race secured to said axle.